The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has ordered a nationwide crackdown on marketers hoarding Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, following the recent surge in prices. The Federal Government vowed to restore stability and make gas affordable for Nigerian households.
FG Targets Cooking Gas Marketers Over Price Surge
Ekpo, in a statement signed by his spokesman, Louis Ibah, on Monday, directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify monitoring of LPG depots across the country. The move aims to prevent hoarding, profiteering, and other sharp practices worsening the current market situation.
“The LPG market is deregulated,” Ekpo reminded. “I appeal to marketers, distributors, and all stakeholders to be patriotic in their dealings, desist from hoarding, and stop exploiting consumers.”
In recent weeks, the price of cooking gas has risen sharply from around ₦1,000 per kilogram to as high as ₦2,000 in some areas. The spike has caused concern among households already battling inflation and rising energy costs.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) blamed the increase on supply shortages, warning that some retailers were taking advantage of the situation to hike prices.
Minister Blames Strike, Maintenance for Gas Shortage
Ekpo explained that the temporary surge in prices was caused by two major disruptions — the industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the Dangote Refinery and ongoing maintenance at the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Train 4 facility.
“These disruptions created a shortfall in supply and a consequent rise in prices,” he said. “However, the situation is temporary and will normalise very soon.”
The minister noted that the strike at the Dangote Refinery had temporarily halted LPG loading, while maintenance work at NLNG reduced the quantity of gas available to the domestic market.
Supply Restoration Underway at Dangote and NLNG Facilities
Ekpo assured Nigerians that operations have resumed at the Dangote Refinery and Seplat Energy’s Bonny River Terminal, with LPG loading already underway. He also disclosed that the NLNG was gradually restoring full operations as its maintenance neared completion.
“With these developments, supply to the domestic market is expected to stabilise by next week, leading to a gradual reduction in prices,” Ekpo stated.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Affordable Gas Supply
The minister reassured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring steady and affordable gas supply nationwide. He urged citizens to remain calm, emphasizing that the recent disruptions were temporary.
“We are working to stabilise the LPG market and guarantee sufficient supply to households across the country,” Ekpo said.
The Federal Government’s directive to clamp down on hoarding and restore LPG supply marks a decisive step to curb the soaring cost of cooking gas. With operations resuming at key facilities, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, assured that prices will drop soon as Nigeria’s domestic gas market stabilises.
